That number doesn’t even count the more than 60 volunteers who made the day run smoothly and another 30 or more presenters who offered fun and educational events ranging from guided nature walks and a nature’s playground in the woods to a horse logging demonstration, displays and discussion of rescued wild animals, kids’ fishing, birdhouse building, hayrides to the Salmon Falls River, and more.

MMRG Executive Director Virginia Long expressed her delight with the successful day.

“I loved seeing so many families come back to the festival this year, enjoy new activities and introduce their children to new wonders of nature. But I was even more thrilled each time I met a family who came for the first time and discovered what a fantastic event it is and now look forward to next year,” said Long.

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The York City Ramblers provided the musical entertainment at the Wind Water and Wildlife festival in Milton Mills. (John Nolan/Times photo)

She added, “The day wouldn’t happen without the dedicated work of so many volunteers and we can’t enough thank them enough for all their hard work! We also rely on the willingness of many volunteer presenters to come share their enthusiasm and knowledge. Finally, the Woods, Water and Wildlife Festival is MMRG’s main fundraising event of the year and we are deeply grateful to more than 60 individuals, organizations, and local businesses that sponsored the day’s events, including our major sponsors Huggins Hospital/Wakefield Family Care, Bruce and Jennifer Rich, Nancy Spencer Smith, Devonshire Realty, D. F. Richard Energy, Gene Hays,Liberty Mutual Insurance, MapleStone Farm, Mikel O’Brien, Moose Mountain Recreation, New England Furniture, Norman Vetter Foundations, and Proulx Oil & Propane.

“The festival is underwritten by the Siemon Company and Branch Hill Farm/Carl Siemon Family Charitable Trust,which together match all sponsorship donations.”

Julie Berriault of Farmington (back to camera) learns how to make traditional miniature horses from baling twine from Deborah Romaniak of Farmington while her son Ben enjoys a video game. (John Nolan/Times photo)

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Dick Turgeon of Rochester gave fly-tying demonstrations at the recent Wind Water and Wildlife festival in Milton Mills. (John Nolan/ Times photo)